After Sev unfortunately passed a way a few days ago (I tried to do everything I could, but he went from bad to worse very quickly), I decided to take everything I've learned and get back on the bike, as it were!

So everyone, meet ROMEO! I was wondering if anyone could could give me some advice as to his breed, age, and even gender... He was advertised at the store as a "Dumbo ear" betta. Is this right? I can't get him to flare at his reflection, but I'm not sure if this is just because he's too young or something.

I fell in love with him so quickly at the store, so I got him a very nicely decorated 2.5g tank and heater.

The short ventrals plus the body shape make me think female, and as for tail type, I think I see at least four rays, so not a veil tail and s/he's obviously not a CT. Maybe a delta/super delta, or a plakat. I am definitely no expert though!

About how big is s/he, from nose to the start of the tail? That will be the biggest clue as to age, but I'd say around two months based on how well developed the fins/color seem to be. This site has a good growth chart: http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/bettagrowth.html

Actually looks like a male Plakat to me, red salamander coloring. Since we can't actually see the ventral fins it's hard to tell. But the body is longer and 'stockier' females have a graceful curve from their stomach and up to the tail where males are more "straight", just like in humans. But of course sometimes they break those "rules" just like we do lol

But I'm inclined to say Male Plakat, most likely HM. With some adequate water changes and some Stress Coat those fins will help up nicely

Ooh, from that website I'd say he (I'm just going to call him a he) is around nine weeks. The level of fin development also looks similar.

Will it be easier to tell what he is when he's older? I couldn't see an "egg spot", but his belly is white right now so it would probably be hard to tell. His ventral fins are very short and he usually keeps them up against his tummy.

Even still, young males will have imitator ovipositer's or egg spots, just to confuse us more lol and flaring isn't always a great way either although sometimes you can tell. But one of my girls, Mystique, you would have thought she was a male when she flared and I almost kept second guessing myself until she dropped eggs one day lol